Open Journal of Acoustics, 2012, 2, 80-85

http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oja.2012.22009 Published Online June 2012 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/oja)

Speed of Sound in Atmosphere of the Earth

Vladimir G. Kirtskhalia
Ilia Vekua Sukhumi Institute of Physics and Technology, Tbilisi, Georgia
Email: sipt@sipt org.ge, v.kirtskhalia@gmail.com

Received March 5, 2012; revised April 3, 2012; accepted April 10, 2012

ABSTRACT
It is demonstrated that contemporary conception on adiabaticity of sound in the Earth atmosphere is fair in sufficient
approximation only for altitudes z ≤ 103 m. At higher altitudes adiabaticity of sound is violated and essential depend-
ence of its speed on altitude is revealed which is related to heterogeneity of the atmosphere in gravitation field of the
Earth. It became possible to reveal the factor of gravity field due to the fact that in the equation of the state of atmos-
phere considered to be ideal gas, the entropy s is taken into consideration and is written down as ρ = (p, s) instead of
generally accepted ρ = ρ(p) which is fair only for isentropic media and is not applicable to the Earth. Such approach
enabled to determine that apart from adiabatic mechanism of generation of sound wave there exists isobaric one and
exactly this mechanism leads to dependence of sound speed on altitude which is the same as dependence on density.

Keywords: Speed of Sound; Atmosphere; Compressibility; Incompressibility

1. Introduction
Sound speed is a characteristic quantity of the medium
included in the system of hydrodynamic (gas-dynamic)
equations and plays a significant role in study of wave
processes within it. Therefore, correct determination of
its value is crucial in adequate description of generation
and distribution of waves in media. According to the
modern theory of sound wave density perturbation is
considered as mass variation in constant volume without
heat transfer i.e. adiabatically and therefore the speed of
sound propagation is called adiabatic speed of sound.
Pursuant to this representation speed of sound in atmos-
phere is calculated according to the formula
C    RT M  , i.e. depends only on temperature and
12

does not depend on altitude. This result is dubious ex-
pressing that under the identical temperature conditions
at the sea level and at an altitude of 100 km, where air
density is 107 times less the speed of sound should have
the same meaning. Figures 1 and 2 demonstrate graphs
of dependence of atmosphere temperature of the Earth
and sound speed at altitude in the range from of 0 to 85
km [1] which almost coincide. The same paper provides
for the table demonstrating numerical meanings of sound
speed at the altitudes of same interval and it is indicated
that these meanings are calculated by means of the men-
tioned formula (Figure 13 shows the variation with alti-
tude of the computed speed of sound). Internet provides
for the same meaning of sound speed [2].
Such result is conditioned by incorrect definition of
sound speed. As a matter of fact medium density may be
Figure 1. Molecular-scale temperature as a function of geo-
potencial altitude.
perturbed not only as a result of change mass in constant
volume but by change of constant mass volume during
temperature vibration under the conditions of constant
pressure i.e. isobaricly. Therefore sound may have not
only adiabatic but isobaric speed as well. Combination of
these two speeds must result in dependence of sound
speed on altitude which constitutes qualitatively new
result.
Urgency of this consideration is proved by the fact of
lack of information on experimental measurements of
dependence of sound speed on altitude carried out with
sufficient accuracy. The paper [3] provides for the results
of measurement of sound speed at the see level for con-

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 V. G. KIRTSKHALIA 81

Earth is described by the Euler's equation:

 v 
   v   v   p   g (1.1)
 t 
In wave motions, speed v is considered for small value.
Pressure p and density  are represented in the form of
the sum of their stationary  P0  r  , 0  r   and pertur-
bation values  p   r , t  ,    r ,t   , and therefore after lin-
earization of the Equation (1.1) we have:
v
0    P0  p     0     g (1.2)
t
Let’s consider two examples of application of Equa-
Figure 2. Speed of sound as function geometric altitude. tion (1.2) to sound waves which give clear representation
of inadequacy of the current theory of sound waves in the
ditions t = 0˚C and p =1 atm and it is shown that it pre- Earth atmosphere.
cisely coincides with theoretical results. In work [4] the In monographs [5,6] the Equation (1.2) is provided as
method and results of measurement of speed of sound in follows:
atmosphere of the Earth by means of a probe are given. v
The schedule of dependence of sound speed on time of 0  p  (1.3)
t
vertical movement of probe is demonstrated which does
not enable us to precisely determine dependence of sound here it is implied that g  0 and P0  0 i.e. gravita-
speed on altitude. Notwithstanding the aforesaid, appro- tional field does not affect the medium. This circum-
ximate analysis shows that the numerical results of ex- stance is highlighted in monograph [6], where it is indi-
periment are below the existing theoretical data which is cated that under such approach the medium is isentropic,
beneficial for us but exceed the results calculated by i.e. entropy s  const . The Equation (1.3) is solved to-
means of our theory. Therefore, it is required to check gether with the linearized equation of the continuity.
our theory through precise experiment.  
The first section of this article presents critical analysis  0    v   0 (1.4)
t
of two typical works of famous authors. It is shown that
their theory of sound waves is fair only for homogeneous When relation between perturbations of pressure and
medium and is not applicable to the Earth atmosphere. In density are given by the formula
the second section it is demonstrated that taking into  p 
consideration of nonisentropicity of ideal gas existing in p     (1.5)
external force field leads to the result that the ideal value    s
of square of the sound speed is reduced from squares of The index s means, that the derivative undertakes at
adiabatic and isobaric speed sounds constant entropy. Whereupon the potential of speed is
C 2
 Cs2 C p2 C 2
s  C p2   . The latter enables to provide defined as v   with the Equations (1.3)-(1.5) that
leads to the wave equation:
correct definition of compressible and incompressible
medium. In the third section it is shown that application  2
 Cs2   0 (1.6)
of a new theory to the Earth atmosphere leads to de- t 2
pendence of sound speed in it on temperature as well as where quantity
on altitude. A significant result is obtained evidencing
that the upper bound of troposphere above which anoma-  p 
Cs    (1.7)
lous processes develop in atmosphere, coincides with the    s
altitude where the values of adiabatic and isobaric speeds
are equalized. is defined as speed of adiabatic sound. Considering the
air as ideal gas  p  nkT  , and dependence between
2. Modern Representations about Speed of a pressure and density in adiabatic process is defined by
Sound in Atmosphere of the Earth and the following relation

Inadequacy of Its Application p   
  (1.8)
Motion of an ideal fluid (gas) in gravitational field of the p0  0 

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82 V. G. KIRTSKHALIA
where p0 and  0 are initial values of pressure and
density, and an adiabatic index   c p cv  1.4 is ratio
of thermal capacities (specific heath) for air in presence
of constant pressure and volume respectively. From (1.7)
for speed of sound following expression is derived:
pkT RT
Cs2      (1.9)
 m0 M 0
Here R = 8.314 J/(mol·K) is a gas constant, m0 =
4.81·10–26 kg is mass of one air molecule and M =
29·10–3 kg/mol—mass of one mol air.
In monographies [7-9], the condition of static balance
is applied to the Equation (1.2)
P0  0 g , (1.10)
then it becomes:
v
0  p     g (1.11)
t
Then it is assumed, that gravitational acceleration g
does not influence high-frequency sound fluctuations and
the Equation (1.11) passes in the Equation (1.3). The
authors supplement the Equations (1.3) and (1.4) with the
equation of adiabatic process for ideal gas
p RT 
 0 (1.12)
t M t
and representing all perturbed quantities in the form of a
plane wave exp i  kx  t   reduce these three equa-
tions to the wave equation relative to x component of
pretreated speed
 2u RT  2 u
  0 (1.13)
t 2 M x 2
from which, they obtain expression (1.9) for the speed of
a sound, which presently is applied for both bottom (z ≤
11 km) and top (11 km ≤ z ≤ 86 km) atmospheres.
Thus, in both cases authors try to define speed of a
sound in atmosphere of the Earth from the wave equation
for a plane wave with homogeneous phase speed, which
depends only on temperature. It is well known, that to
this equation satisfy intensity vectors of electric and
magnetic fields of electromagnetic wave in vacuum. For
which the vacuum is a homogeneous environment for its,
consequently the velocity of light in it is homogeneous.
Earth atmosphere is essentially heterogeneous medium
for sound where all characteristic thermodynamic pa-
rameters depend on z coordinate. Since the sound of
speed is also characteristic value of the medium, accord-
ing to the fundamental principle of physics it must de-
pend on z coordinate. Proceeding from the aforemen-
tioned, formulation and solution of the problem in the
monographs [5,6] look correct, however they have no
relation to a sound wave in atmosphere of the Earth. As
Copyright © 2012 SciRes.
for the resolution obtained in monographs [7-9], it can be
easily shown that it is incorrect. Actually, in Euler’s lin-
earized equation the authors apply condition of statistic
balance (1.10) where
P0  P00  00 gz . (1.14)
Here P and  is values of pressure and density
0 0
0
on a sea level. Expression (1.14) turns out from the gen-
eral formula of distribution of pressure in atmosphere of
the Earth
0 00  m gz 
P0  n0 kT  kT  kT exp   0  , (1.15)
m0 m0  kT 
where Laplace’s barometric formula for ideal gas is used
 m0 gz 
0  00 exp   . (1.16)
 kT 
Assuming m0 gz kT  1 and representing (1.16) in
series, we obtain (1.14) from (1.15) in linear approach.
Thus, expression (1.14) is valid for the altitudes that ful-
fill inequality
m0 gz
 101 (1.17)
kT
Assuming that T = 288.15 ˚K on a sea level, we find,
that z ≤ 850 m. Thus, the Equation (1.14) is applicable in
atmosphere only up to altitude of 850 m, or in water [9]
where density practically does not depend on depth.
Besides, analysis of available literature obviously re-
veals one more significant contradiction related to deter-
mination of sound speed in the Earth’s atmosphere. In
papers [10,11] the authors consider phenomena of sound
dispersion and absorption. They deem that adiabatic speed
of sound expressed by formula (1.9) makes no influence
on the mentioned process and therefore, this speed of
sound is called speed of sound of zero frequency. It is
clear that this is a conventional name however it contra-
dicts to the opinion of the authors of papers [6-9] stating
that this speed complies with high frequency speed. The
typical examples resulted above and ours comments
show, that the existing theory of sound waves in atmos-
phere of the Earth demands revision.
3. The Reduced Speed of Sound
The sound wave transfers density perturbation at me-
chanical displacement of particles of medium. Pursuant
to understanding established at present, atmosphere air
represents ideal gas density of which depends only on
pressure, i.e.     p  . In paper [6] it is noted that
such approach is justified only for homogeneous medium
in every point of which entropy has the same meaning
(isentropic medium). It is apparent that the Earth’s at-
mosphere does not meet this condition and therefore
OJA
 V. G. KIRTSKHALIA 83

    p, s  . In terms of the aforementioned density if speed of sound in it is C  Cs   . At such definition

perturbation should be put down as: of the incompressible medium, which model is often
used in applied problems, equation of medium state (2.3)
 0   0 
    p    s (2.1) is fell out of the system of hydrodynamic (gas dynamic)
P
 0 s  S0  p equations and thus, it is not clear which medium is re-
ferred. Deriving from (2.4) medium is considered in-
The first member in (2.1.) corresponds to density per-
compressible, if Cs  C p and then, C  C p and for the
turbation caused by mass alteration in fixed volume as a
compressed medium C p  Cs and C  Cs . Now, the
result of pressure perturbation in conditions of constant
concept of compressibility or incompressibility gets clear
entropy, while the second member corresponds by vol-
physical sense that has significant applied value.
ume alteration of fixed mass as a result of entropy per-
turbation in conditions of constant pressure. On the other
4. Speed of Sound in Atmosphere of the
hand, entropy perturbation is also callused by pressure
Earth
perturbation, i.e.
Atmosphere of the Earth represents multilayered struc-
 S 
s   0  p (2.2) ture and in each layer, dependences of physical parame-
 Po T ters on geometrical altitude z are different. The chart
(2.1) and (2.2) give provided for in Pic. 1, which can be found in internet [2]
as well as in scientific literature [1;7] shows that in in-
1 terval of altitudes from z = 0 to z = 11 km temperature
  p (2.3)
C2 changes under linear law T  6.52 103 z  288.15 and
where in the interval from z = 51 km to z = 85 km approxi-

C 2C 2
 
mately T  2.60 103 z  51 103  270.50 under the
C  2S P 2
2
(2.4) law. In intermediate interval (11 - 51 km) the tempera-
CS  C P ture is either constant or increases, which makes us think
that anomalous processes take place there. Besides, along
 P  with increase of altitude, deviation of experimental value
CS2   0  (2.5)
 0  S to a greater index from the values calculated by means of
1
formula (1.16) is also flaring. E.g. at the altitude z = 7.5
    S   km where theoretical value of air density decreases e-times,
CP2   0   0   (2.6)
relative error constitutes 23%, while when z = 11 km it
 S0  P  P0 T 
constitutes 40%. At 35 km they equalize and thereafter
If expression (2.5) is called adiabatic speed of sound, it theoretical value exceeds the experimental one and at the
is logical to call expression (2.6) isobaric speed of sound altitude of 85 km relative error constitutes 95%. In light
since under thermodynamic relations of the aforementioned we assume that the model of ideal
 0  gas and consequently our theory can be applied up to 11
T  0   S  1   
     and  0   2  0  km altitude where temperature fall strictly obeys linear
 S0  P cP  T    P0 T 0  T  P law. The aforesaid does not exclude possibility of its
application for (2.6) results in application in conditions of upper atmosphere.
Let’s demonstrate that theoretical calculations shown
c 02 above result in obvious dependence of sound speed on
CP2  P

2
(2.7)
   altitude in the Earth’s atmosphere. Indeed, for value Cs
T 0  we have expression (1.9) while by application of (1.16)
 T  P
from (2.7) for Cp we get
(1.5) demonstrates that in homogeneous medium square
of sound speed coincides with coefficient of connection c p k 2T 3
Cp  (3.1)
of pressure and density perturbations. We assume that the m02 g 2 z 2
same is fair for heterogeneous medium and therefore it
should be defined by means of formula (2.4). We see that Substituting (1.9) and (3.1) in (2.4) expressions for
square of ideal value of sound speed equals to the re- speed of a sound in the specified layer ( 0  z  11 km)
duced value of square of adiabatic and isobaric speeds. of the Earth atmosphere we receive
Such definition of sound speed—which is fair for any  kT
medium in the field of gravity, profoundly changes the C  
(3.2)
  m0 g 2 z 2 
existing notion on the sound itself and the medium. Pur- m 1

0  
suant to the latter, medium is considered incompressible 

c p kT 2 


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84 V. G. KIRTSKHALIA

(3.2) shows that ideal value of sound speed in atmos-

phere obviously depends on altitude. Besides, we see that
sound is adiabatic not only when g = 0 but when g ≠ 0
but z = 0. At removal from a sea level, dependence of
speed of sound on altitude becomes evident which is
caused by heterogeneity of the atmosphere. In Table 1,
Cs , C p and C values are obtained by formulas (1.9),
(3.1) and (3.2) in the range of altitudes from to z  0 up
to z  11 km, besides, corresponding values of speeds
of sound Cint taken from the online calculator [2]. Val-
ues Cs and Cint coincide, and relative errors between
values C and Cint at altitudes of z  1 km and z =
11 km are equal to 0.3% and 33% respectively. It con-
firms our assumption that it is possible to consider sound
to be adiabatic only up to altitude of z  850 m. For
visualization, dependences of Cs and C on z in in-
tervals (0 - 1 km) and (1 - 11 km) are presented on the Figure 3. Dependence of Cs and C on altitude in the range z
= 0 m to z = 1000 m.
Figures 3 and 4 respectively. Let’s define the altitude on
which Cs  C p . From (3.2) it can be seen, that it is de-
fined from a relation
cpk T
z (3.3)
 m0 g

Table 1. Velocity values of Cs, Cp and C at altitudes from 0

toо 11,000 m; comparison with internet data (online calcu-
lator).

z (m) T˚ (K) Cint (m/s) Cs (m/s) Cp (m/s) C (m/s)

0 288.15 340.29 340.30 infinity 340.30
50.00 287.82 340.10 340.11 90180.02 340.11
100.00 287.50 339.91 339.92 45013.66 339.91
200.00 286.85 339.53 339.53 22430.54 339.50
300.00 286.20 399.14 339.15 14902.90 339.06
Figure 4. Dependence of Cs and C on altitude in the range z
400.00 285.55 338.76 338.76 11139.12 338.61
= 1000 m to z = 11,000 m.
500.00 284.90 338.38 338.38 8880.88 338.13
600.00 284.25 337.98 337.99 7375.42 337.64 Substituting values of constants (cp = 103 J/kgK) in
700.00 283.60 337.60 337.61 6300.12 337.12 (3.3) and assuming that average value of temperature in
800.00 282.95 337.21 337.22 5493.66 336.59 the mentioned interval is T = 252.4 ˚K, we receive z =
11.6 km. As we can see altitude on which adiabatic and
900.00 282.30 336.82 336.83 4866.44 336.03
isobaric speeds of sounds are equal, practically precisely
1000.00 281.65 336.43 336.44 4364.68 335.45
coincides with altitude above which anomalistic proc-
2000.00 275.15 332.53 332.54 2107.23 328.47 esses occur in atmosphere. We think that it is not a casual
3000.00 268.65 328.58 328.59 1355.33 319.34 coincidence and it has deep physical sense, definition of
4000.00 262.15 324.58 324.59 979.83 308.12 which is a subject of the further researches.
5000.00 255.65 320.53 320.54 754.89 295.04
6000.00 249.15 316.43 316.44 605.24 280.42
5. Conclusion
7000.00 242.65 312.27 312.28 498.61 264.66 It is shown above that the existing theory on adiabatic
8000.00 236.15 308.06 308.07 418.87 248.18 sound in the Earth atmosphere is characterized by defi-
ciencies related to incorrect definition of the sound speed
9000.00 229.65 303.79 303.80 357.06 231.38
which is understood as speed of distribution of adiabatic
10000.00 223.15 299.46 299.47 307.81 214.65 density perturbation of the medium. As a result, the
11000.00 216.65 295.07 295.08 267.69 198.26 sound speed in the Earth atmosphere depends only on

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 V. G. KIRTSKHALIA
temperature and does not depend on altitude while the
density itself exponentially depends on it. As a matter of
fact the density may be perturbed not only adiabaticaly,
but isobaricaly as a result of entropy perturbation at per-
turbation of pressure leading to perturbation of tempera-
ture and consequently to isobaric alteration of the volume
of the given air mass. All this finally results in depend-
ence of sound speed on altitude pursuant to the formula
(3.2). We assume that correction of the adiabatic wave
theory suggested by us has an unconditional right to exist
unless it is disproved by an experiment. However, if it is
proved it will lay the foundation for qualitatively new
research in gas and hydrodynamics.
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Copyright © 2012 SciRes.
85
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